How to Create an HTML Sitemap in WordPress (Step-by-Step Guide)

Many WordPress websites lack an HTML sitemap. This means important pages often go unnoticed by visitors and search engines. Google recommends using sitemaps to help improve site indexing and crawling. Learning how to create an HTML sitemap in WordPress can help fix this issue effectively.

When a website’s structure is not clear, each user experience and SEO performance can be affected. Visitors may find it difficult to navigate, and search engine bots may skip over valuable content. As a result, lower rankings and poor engagement can be seen.

This problem has a simple solution. This guide will walk you through creating an HTML sitemap in WordPress, one step at a time. We’ll look at plugin-based and manual methods. This way, you can confidently add an HTML sitemap to your site, no matter your skill level. 

What is an HTML Sitemap in WordPress?

An HTML sitemap in WordPress is a page where all important website links are shown in a list. It is made so that pages, posts, and other content can be found easily by people from one place.

You can see the whole website layout in one place, so it’s way easier to find stuff. No guessing, no endless clicking. Just click and go where you need to.

It is often confused with an XML sitemap, but both serve different purposes. An XML sitemap helps search engines find content. An HTML sitemap is made for users who visit the site.

In an HTML sitemap, links are shown in a clickable format that can be browsed like a regular page. For a full comparison, the XML vs HTML Sitemap can be checked.

A typical HTML sitemap on a real WordPress site might look like this:

Each section can be browsed easily. This way, content that may be hidden deep in the site structure can still be reached quickly.

Adding this type of sitemap makes the site easier to use and increases user satisfaction.

Benefits of HTML Sitemap for SEO and Users

An HTML sitemap boosts a website’s visibility in search engines. It also helps users explore the site more easily. An organized HTML sitemap makes navigation easier.

It helps search engines find new content quickly. This can boost the site’s overall ranking. The main advantages are explained below.

Want to improve your overall structure? Use this On-Page SEO Checklist.

1. Internal Linking Structure is Improved

All important links are on one page with an HTML sitemap. This makes it easier to connect different parts of the website. This clear structure helps search engines see how the website and its pages fit together.

Page value is shared more evenly, so even the less popular pages have a better chance of being found and ranked.

An HTML sitemap makes it easy for visitors and search engines to find useful pages on blog posts or product pages.

2. Crawlability is Increased for Users and Bots

A well-structured HTML sitemap supports bots and users in finding your pages faster. It lists all the important URLs in one place—no more buried pages!

According to Lumar, which used to be DeepCrawl, sitemaps make it easier for search engines to crawl your site.

Your sitemap keeps all main links clear. This makes it easy for users and search engines to find content that might be hard to reach otherwise.

3. User Navigation is Enhanced on Large Websites

When a website has many pages, categories, and posts, moving around can feel confusing. With an HTML sitemap, visitors are guided easily to the right sections or pages, so no confusion is faced.

If someone visits the site and can’t find services or blog content, the sitemap helps them out. You can also guide them with a solid blog post outline. Here’s how to write one. Because of this, users feel more satisfied, they stay longer, and they leave less often — all of which help SEO.

4. Faster Indexing of New Content

You know what helps a lot? Just having all your key pages listed in one spot. It’s like handing out a map to both your readers and Google. No one’s stuck clicking through endless menus. Everything’s right there.

Plus, when you add something new, it doesn’t get lost. Bots can find things quicker and crawl faster. So, it might show up in search results much sooner than normal. That’s a big win, especially if your site doesn’t get crawled often.

5. Better Accessibility and User Trust

An HTML sitemap is not just for search engines. It’s a simple, user-friendly page. Even non-technical visitors can use it to explore your site. It builds credibility by showing that your site is well-structured and open.

A sitemap helps visitors find specific pages or understand your site’s content. It makes everything clear and easy to access.

When people can find what they need easily, they trust your website more. This encourages them to come back and improves SEO by increasing user interaction.

HTML Sitemap vs XML Sitemap: What’s the Difference?

To understand how an HTML sitemap helps, it is often compared with an XML sitemap. Both are used in websites but are made for different uses and people.

Example

An HTML sitemap page on a WordPress site allows visitors to see all blog categories and posts in one place.

Google uses an XML sitemap to find pages, but it isn’t shown to visitors.

Why Both Matter for SEO

XML sitemaps are used to help search engines find website pages. HTML sitemaps are added so visitors can find content more easily. When both are used, the site becomes easier to use and shows up better in search results.

Learning how to create an HTML sitemap in WordPress is helpful for making a website easy to use and good for SEO. An HTML sitemap strengthens links between pages. It helps search engines find pages quicker and makes it easier to navigate the site. This can help the site rank higher and keep visitors interested.

How to Create an HTML Sitemap in WordPress

An HTML sitemap in WordPress can be made in a few easy ways. One of the three methods can be picked, depending on what is needed and how much experience a person has.

Method 1 – Using a Plugin (Best for Beginners)

This easy method is used by beginners. The sitemap is shown after the plugin is added.

Plugins that can be used:

• Simple Sitemap
• WP Sitemap Page

Below, we are using a Simple Sitemap plugin to show you an example.

1. Install and Activate the Plugin

The plugin can be searched from the WordPress dashboard. After that, it should be installed and turned on.

2. Add the Shortcode to a New Page

A new page should be created. Then, a shortcode [simple-sitemap] can be added inside the page content.

3. Customize How It Looks

Settings can be changed to hide or show certain pages or posts. Some design changes can also be made.

Method 2 – Manual Method (Using Shortcode)

This way’s super easy. No need to change a page template. Just create a shortcode, drop it into any page or post, and your sitemap will appear.

1. Add the Shortcode to functions.php

Go ahead and stick this code in your theme’s functions.php file. Want to keep things organized? A custom plugin works too.

// Register the HTML Sitemap shortcode
function dd_html_sitemap_shortcode() {
    ob_start();
    ?>
    <div class="html-sitemap">
        <h2>Pages</h2>
        <ul>
            <?php wp_list_pages( array( 'title_li' => '' ) ); ?>
        </ul>

        <h2>Blog Posts</h2>
        <ul>
            <?php
            $args = array(
                'post_type'      => 'post',
                'posts_per_page' => -1,
                'orderby'.       => 'title',
                'order'          => 'ASC'
            );
            $posts = get_posts( $args );
            foreach ( $posts as $post ) {
                echo '<li><a href="' . get_permalink( $post->ID ) . '">' . esc_html( $post->post_title ) . '</a></li>';
            }
            ?>
        </ul>
    </div>

    <?php
    return ob_get_clean();
}

add_shortcode( 'html_sitemap', 'dd_html_sitemap_shortcode' );

2. Use the Shortcode on Any Page

Now, simply create a new page and place the following shortcode in the content editor:

[html_sitemap]

This will automatically display:

• All your Pages
• All your Blog Posts

3. Style the Sitemap

You can style the sitemap by adding some CSS to your theme or customizer:

.html-sitemap {
  max-width: 800px;
  margin: 40px auto;
  padding: 30px;
  background-color: #eef3ff; /* Light blue background */
  border-radius: 12px;
  box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
  font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
}

.html-sitemap h2 {
  font-size: 26px;
  margin-top: 30px;
  margin-bottom: 15px;
  color: #0256ff; /* Primary brand color */
  border-bottom: 2px solid #0256ff;
  padding-bottom: 6px;
}

.html-sitemap ul {
  list-style-type: disc;
  padding-left: 25px;
  line-height: 1.8;
}

.html-sitemap ul li {
  margin-bottom: 10px;
}

.html-sitemap ul li a {
  color: #0256ff;
  text-decoration: none;
  font-weight: 500;
  transition: color 0.3s ease;
}

.html-sitemap ul li a:hover {
  color: #003fbb; /* Slightly darker hover color */
  text-decoration: underline;
}

This is how your HTML Sitemap will look after styling.

Method 3 – Use a Page Builder (Elementor or Divi)

If a page builder is being used, the sitemap can be made without any coding. Everything can be added by dragging and dropping.

1. Use Shortcode or Widget

A block can be added where the sitemap shortcode is placed. Some builders also have a widget for the sitemap.

2. Customize the Look

Colors, fonts, and layout can be changed directly inside the page builder.

Simple Comparison Table

So, any of these methods can be followed to add an HTML sitemap in WordPress. Even if coding is not known, a sitemap can still be made easily using a plugin, shortcode, or page builder.

Best Places to Add an HTML Sitemap on Your Site

After you make your HTML sitemap, it should be placed where visitors can find it easily. Put it somewhere that shows on every page, so people can find it easily.

• Footer: This is the bottom part of your website. Most websites show the sitemap here, so people can scroll down and see it on any page.
• Sidebar: If your site has a sidebar, you can pop the sitemap in there too. It sticks around while people scroll through the page.
• Main Menu: Some websites put the sitemap in the top menu. It might be labeled Sitemap, Explore, or Help. This makes it easy to find.

Easy Tips to Enhance Your HTML Sitemap

Hoping to make the most of your HTML sitemap? Here are some easy ways to assist search engines and people:

• Update it by itself: Install a plugin or tool that will update your sitemap as you add and remove pages. This is time-saving- one does not have to do it manually.
• Hide Unimportant Pages: Do not write out every page. Only add the most important things, like your favourite posts, services, or key sections. It makes it clean and user-friendly.
• Group and Headings: Other pages that are similar, put together. As an illustration, you can have all the blog posts in a single group and product pages in another. This assists individuals in locating what they require more quickly.
• Connection to Other Pages: The pages on your site should be connected via your sitemap. This helps search engines and visitors navigate your site better.
• Add Schema Code (Optional): You can add extra code, known as schema, to your sitemap. This helps search engines understand it better if you know how. It is not necessary, but it will assist a little with SEO.

Final Thoughts

The best part? It barely takes any time once you get the hang of it. Just pick the method that feels the easiest, follow a few steps, and boom—you’ll be all set. Not sure which pages to include? No worries. Just stick to the important ones—your main posts, services, or popular categories.

And placement, don’t forget about it. Unless a sitemap is prominent, it won’t be of much use. Place it in the footer, sidebar, or primary menu. Make sure it’s easy for people to see without searching. Worried about updates? You don’t need to do it all by hand. Most plugins update things automatically when you add or remove pages. Easy, right?

Want to give search engines a little extra help? You can throw in some schema code if you feel up to it. Optional, but it gives your SEO a small nudge. Oh—and if your sitemap isn’t showing all your pages, take a quick peek at the plugin settings. Some pages might be hidden by accident, like when they’re marked as “noindex.”

Creating an HTML sitemap in WordPress is a small step that can have a big impact. It makes life easier for your visitors, and search engines appreciate the extra help too.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)